Melissa Jeanne Garcia

Melissa Jeanne Garcia was born April 22, 1980, in Santa Fe NM, and sadly for us, left this world to join some of her favorite people on February 6, 2025.

Melissa’s 44 years of life were filled and celebrated with an abundance of love for and from her family, friends, and puppies. She lent an ear, gave the best advice and was the utmost loyal person to call upon. She unconditionally put others needs before herself. She effortlessly made people laugh, was a magical storyteller, and lit up a room with her exuberated Sunshine. We all have fuller hearts because she taught us how to be silly, stay true to yourself, be spontaneous, and always be up for adventures. She loved cooking up some of her favorite family recipes, cherishing her fur babies (Lucy and Charleigh), spending time with her best-loved family and closest friends, cheering on her SF49rs, watching reality shows and cruising to her favorite music. She will be remembered as an amazing Auntie to her nephew Jaxon and niece Mayleigh, who she gave hugs like a mother, kept secrets like a sibling, and shared love like a friend, along with less rules and more candy. She was also a second dog mom to Chloe, Ping Pong and Zelda who she spoiled and cared for so deeply. We all know Melissa by a nickname we gave her along the way, so let’s reminisce and smile at some of our favorites: Bunny, Buffy, Guante, Mellie, Auntie and Crayola :o) Melissa is survived by her parents, Rosemarie (RoRo), John (Thumper) and little sister and best friend Jessica (Pearl), brother in-law Mason, nephew Jaxon, niece Mayleigh, fur baby Charleigh, and a humongous extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins (Montoya and Garcia).

A memorial service to honor Melissa’s beautiful life will be held on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the Kiva Chapel at Rivera Family Funeral Homes, 417 East Rodeo Road, Santa Fe NM.

*In lieu of flowers, Melissa was born on Earth Day, we would appreciate you plant a tree or create a vegetable/flower garden in her honor ;o)